persons with
whom he is thrown?'

'I will do so, papa. He wishes it himself.' Then with an effort, he
added, 'I am sorry I went to-day; I ought not, but--' and he looked a
little foolish.

'You did not like taking orders from the girls? No wonder, Aubrey; I
have been very thankful to you for bearing it as you have done. It is
the worst of home education that these spirits of manliness generally
have no vent but mischief. But you are old enough now to be thankful
for such a friend and adviser as Ethel, and I don't imagine that she
orders you.'

'No,' said Aubrey, smiling and mumbling; 'but Daisy--'

'Oh, I can quite understand the aggravation of Daisy happening to be
right; but you must really be man enough to mind your own conscience,
even if Daisy is imprudent enough to enforce it.'

'It was not only that,' said Aubrey, 'but I could not have Ward
thinking I turned up my nose at his having got into business.'

'No, Aubrey, he need never fancy it is the business that I object to,
but the men. Make that clear to him, and ask him to this house as much
as you please. The more "thorough" he is in his business, the more I
shall respect him.'

Aubrey smiled, and thanked his father with a cleared brow, wondering at
himself for having gone without consulting him.

'Good night, my boy. May this friendship of yours be a lifelong stay
and blessing to you both, even though it may cost you some pain and
self-command, as all good things must, Aubrey.'

That evening Ethel had been writing to Cambridge. Tom had passed his
examination with great credit, and taken an excellent degree, after
which he projected a tour in Germany, for which he had for some time
been economizing, as a well-earned holiday before commencing his course
of hospitals and lectures. Tom was no great correspondent, and had
drilled his sisters into putting nothing but the essential into their
letters, instead, as he said, of concealing it in flummery. This is a
specimen of the way Tom liked to be written to.

'Stoneborough, Feb. 20th.
'My Dear Tom,

'Dr. Spencer says nothing answers so well as a knapsack. Get one at
----. The price is L. s. d. Order extra fittings as required,
including a knife and fork. Letters from N. Z. of the 1st of November,
all well. I wish Aubrey was going with you; he misses Leonard Ward so
sorely, as to be tempted to follow him to the Vintry Mill. I suspect
your word